Pathology of the Heart and Blood Vessels Flashcards
Aneurysm; Etiology, Signs and Symptoms, and Treatment
Abnormal dilation of a blood vessel.
Etiology - Congenital defect; weakness in the wall of the vessel often due to chronic HTN (Marfan syndrome)- connective tissue disease
Signs and Symptoms - varies based on site. Aortic aneurysms are asymptomatic. Generalized abdominal or LBP. Cerebral aneurysm causes sudden and severe headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, seizure, LOC, and diplopia.
Treatment - Antihypertensive meds. Surgery recommended to repair large aortic.
Angina Pectoris; Etiology, Signs and Symptoms, and Treatment
Transient precordial sensation of pressure or discomfort resulting from myocardial ischemia.
Etiology - Inadequate blood flow and oxygenation of the heart muscle mostly due to CAD
Signs and Symptoms - Pressure, heaviness, fullness, squeezing, burning or aching behind the sternum. Can also be felt in neck and back, jaw, shoulders, and arms. Can be associated with nausea, vomiting, SOB, sweating, and anxiety. Can be triggered by exertion or strong emotion.
Treatment - For acute angina; Supplemental O2, nitroglycerin, and rest. For unstable angina; long-acting nitrates, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers.
Types of Angina
Stable - Occurs at a predictable level of exertion, exercise or stress and responds to rest or nitroglycerin.
Unstable - More intense, lasts longer, comes on with less exertion, occurs spontaneously, and can be progressive.
Prinzmetal (variant) - Occurs due to coronary artery spasm most often associated with CAD.
Atherosclerosis; Etiology, Signs and Symptoms, and Treatment
Progressive accumulation of fatty plaques on the inner walls of arteries. Overtime can restrict blood flow and cause a blood clot.
Etiology - Can begin with damage or injury to the inner wall of an artery from HTN, HCL, smoking, or diabetes. Overtime, fatty plaques build up at the site of injury and harden, narrowing the artery.
Signs and Symptoms - Varies. When coronary arteries are affected, angina may result. When cerebral arteries are affected, numbness or weakness in arms or legs, dysarthria, slurred speech, or drooping on face muscles. When peripheral arteries are affected, intermittent claudication is a result.
Treatment - Lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery may be recommended. Surgery options are angioplasty, endarterectomy, and bypass surgery.
Cardiomyopathy; Etiology, Signs and Symptoms, and Treatment
Refers to group of conditions that affect the myocardium, impairing the ability of the heart to contract and relax.
Etiology - Many causes, including CAD and valvular heart disease.
Signs and Symptoms - None during early stages. As it progressing it includes breathlessness, swelling in LE, bloating of abdomen, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness.
Treatment - depends on type (see next card)
Treatment for each type of cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy - common meds include ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, digoxin, and diuretics. Surgical intervention can include biventricular pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - meds to slow HR and stabilize rhythm. Common meds include Lopressor and calcium channel blockers. Surgical interventions include septal myectomy, pacemaker implant.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy - medications include diuretics, antihypertensives, and antiarrhythmics. Severe cases, surgical options include ventricular device or heart transplant
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI); Etiology, SIgns and Symptoms, and Treatment
Condition in which the veins and valves in the LE are damaged and cannot keep blood flowing toward the heart.
Etiology - Weak or damaged valves inside the veins. RIsk factors include age, female gender, obesity, pregnancy, and prolonged sitting or standing.
Signs and Symptoms - Leg swelling, varicose veins, aching, heaviness or cramping, itching, redness or skin ulcers of the leg and ankles
Treatment - Compression stockings and elevation of legs help decrease chronic swelling. Varicose vein stripping may be performed.
What is a congenital heart defect? What are the common congenital heart defects?
A malformation of the interior walls or valves of the heart or the major arteries and veins near the heart that are present at birth.
Atrial septal defect (ASD)
Coarctation of the aorta
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
Tetralogy of Fallot
Atrial septal defect (ASD); Etiology, signs and symptoms, treatment
A hole in the wall of the heart separating the right and left atria. Normal in fetal circulation, typically closes at birth.
Etiology - Arise from errors early in the hearts development. Genetic and environmental factors play a role.
Signs and symptoms - small to moderate size may have no symptoms or appear after 30 yrs of age. Large or long-standing may cause; heart murmur, SOB, fatigue, swelling of LE and/or abdomen, heart palpitations, frequent lung infections, stroke, and cyanosis
Treatment - surgical closure is recommended if large. Non-surgical involves placing a closure device into the heart and across the ASD using a catheter.
Coarctation of the aorta; Etiology, signs and symptoms, and treatment
Defect in which the aorta is narrowed near the ductus arteriosus. Usually occurs along with other congenital defects like patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal disorder, and bicuspid aortic valve.
Etiology - early in hearts development. Genetic and environmental factors play a role. Rarely, later in life due to atherosclerosis or inflammation of the aorta.
signs and symptoms - depends on severity of narrowing. In infants; pale skin, sweating, and SOB are noted soon after birth. In older children and adults; high blood pressure in the arms, low in the legs.
Treatment - depends on age diagnosed, but usually consists of surgical repair, or balloon angioplasty.
Patent ductus ateriosus (PDA)
